The term "bulrush" refers to a type of plant commonly found in marshy or wetland areas. In the context of the Bible, the bulrush is often associated with the Nile River and its surrounding regions. The plant is known for its tall, reed-like appearance and is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures in relation to its practical uses and symbolic significance.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 2:3 · The most notable mention of bulrushes in the Bible is in the account of Moses' infancy. "But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile." Here, the "reeds" are often understood to be bulrushes, which provided a natural hiding place for the basket containing the infant Moses. This account highlights the bulrush's role in God's providential care and deliverance of Moses, who would later lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

2. Isaiah 18:2 · The prophet Isaiah refers to the bulrush in a description of the land of Cush: "which sends envoys by sea in papyrus boats over the water." The use of papyrus, derived from bulrushes, for making boats underscores the plant's importance in ancient Egyptian culture and technology. It served as a material for constructing lightweight and buoyant vessels, facilitating trade and communication.

3. Job 8:11 · In the discourse of Bildad the Shuhite, the bulrush is used metaphorically: "Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water?" This rhetorical question emphasizes the dependence of the bulrush on a watery environment, illustrating the broader theme of reliance on God's provision and the futility of life without His sustenance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Egypt, the bulrush, particularly the papyrus plant, was integral to daily life. It was used not only for making boats but also for producing paper, baskets, mats, and other essential items. The plant's versatility and abundance made it a valuable resource in the Nile Delta.

Symbolic Significance:

The bulrush is often seen as a symbol of protection and deliverance, as demonstrated in the account of Moses. Its ability to thrive in waterlogged conditions also serves as a metaphor for spiritual resilience and the necessity of remaining rooted in faith. The imagery of bulrushes in the Bible often conveys themes of survival, adaptability, and the sustaining power of God amidst challenging circumstances.

Conclusion:

The bulrush, while a humble plant, carries significant weight in biblical narratives and teachings. Its presence in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's providence and the importance of faith in His provision. Through its practical uses and symbolic meanings, the bulrush continues to offer insights into the relationship between humanity and the divine.Bulrush

(or papyrus), a red growing in the shallow water on the banks of the Nile. It grows to the height of 12 or 15 feet, with a stalk two or three inches in diameter. The stalks are very pliable and can be very closely interwoven, as is evident from their having been used in the construction of arks. (Exodus 2:3,5) Paper was made from this plant, from which it derives its name.

Bulrush

Or papyrus, a reed growing on the banks of the Nile, in marshy ground, Job 8:11, to the height of twelve or fifteen feet, Isaiah 35:7. The stalks are pliable, and capable of being interwoven very closely, as is evident from their being used in the construction of arks, Exodus 2:3,5; and also vessels of larger dimensions, Isaiah 18:2. Boats of this material were very common in Egypt. Being exceedingly light and small, they sailed with great velocity, and might easily be borne on the shoulders around rapids and falls. The inner bark of this plant, platted and cemented together, furnished a writing material; and the pith was sometimes used for food. See BOOK.

(1.) In Isaiah 58:5 the rendering of a word which denotes "belonging to a marsh," from the nature of the soil in which it grows (Isaiah 18:2). It was sometimes platted into ropes (Job 41:2; A.V., "hook, " R.V., "rope, " lit. "cord of rushes").

(2.) In Exodus 2:3, Isaiah 18:2 (R.V., "papyrus") this word is the translation of the Hebrew gome, which designates the plant as absorbing moisture. In Isaiah 35:7 and Job 8:11 it is rendered "rush." This was the Egyptian papyrus (papyrus Nilotica). It was anciently very abundant in Egypt. The Egyptians made garments and shoes and various utensils of it. It was used for the construction of the ark of Moses (Exodus 2:3, 5). The root portions of the stem were used for food. The inside bark was cut into strips, which were sewed together and dried in the sun, forming the papyrus used for writing. It is no longer found in Egypt, but grows luxuriantly in Palestine, in the marshes of the Huleh, and in the swamps at the north end of the Lake of Gennesaret. (see CANE.)

(n.) A kind of large rush, such as the papyrus and the cattail, growing in wetlands or in water.BULRUSH

bool'-rush.

See REED.

100. agmon -- a rush, bulrush
... 99, 100. agmon. 101 . a rush, bulrush. Transliteration: agmon Phonetic
Spelling: (ag-mone') Short Definition: bulrush. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/100.htm - 6k

1573. gome -- a rush, reed, papyrus
... bulrush. From gama'; properly, an absorbent, ie The bulrush (from its porosity);
specifically the papyrus -- (bul-)rush. see HEBREW gama'. 1572, 1573. ...
/hebrew/1573.htm - 6k

260. achu -- reeds, rushes
... flag, meadow. Of uncertain (perhaps Egyptian) derivation; a bulrush or any marshy
grass (particularly that along the Nile) -- flag, meadow. 259, 260. ...
/hebrew/260.htm - 6k

Self-Examination
... man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to
spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 10 self-examination.htm

The Second Part.
... affected gestures, passionate sighes, lowdnesse of voyce, odde attires & such like:
These know how to rend the garment, hang the head with the bulrush, to whip ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... his hand, which he flourished about his head as if it had been a light battle-axe,
in a loud voice comparing the Knight's spear to a bulrush, and threatening ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter seven the adventures of.htm

The Chorus of Angels
... If you have a humble hope of bearing a part in this immortal song, will you hang
down your heads like a bulrush, because you have the honour of following your ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlix the chorus of.htm

Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of ...
... 'He shall not break the bruised reed.' Here is the picture"a slender bulrush, growing
by the margin of some tarn or pond; its sides crushed and dented in by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/christ the arrester of incipient.htm

"Is it Such a Fast that I have Chosen?"
... affliction's rod?". 2 "Like bulrush low to bow His sorrow-stricken head, With
sackcloth for his inner vest, And ashes round him spread? 3 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/871 is it such.htm

How to Keep Passion Week
... Is it a day for a man to afflict his soul, and bow down his head like a bulrush,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him (playing at being sad, while God ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon i how to keep.htm

"My Garden" --"His Garden"
... it ravish your heart with intense delight that, though often you can take no
complacency in yourself, but go with your head bowed down, like a bulrush, and cry ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/my gardenhis garden.htm

Confession and Penance.
... A man may "bow down his head as a bulrush," or fast, or clothe himself in sackcloth,
when he is an utter stranger to that "repentance to salvation not to be ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iv confession and penance.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... His clothes were rent, but his heart was not rent. He had sackcloth but no sorrow.
He hung down his head like a bulrush, but his heart was like an adamant. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Bulrush (3 Occurrences)
... water. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BULRUSH. bool'-rush. See REED.
Multi-Version Concordance Bulrush (3 Occurrences). Isaiah ...
/b/bulrush.htm - 8k

Rush (35 Occurrences)
... The papyrus (Job 8:11). (see BULRUSH.) The expression "branch and rush" in Isaiah
9:14; 9:15 means "utterly.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/r/rush.htm - 20k

Bulrushes (3 Occurrences)

/b/bulrushes.htm - 10k

Bull's (8 Occurrences)

/b/bull's.htm - 8k

Paper (5 Occurrences)
... The material so referred to was manufactured from the papyrus, and hence its
name. The papyrus (Hebrews gome) was a kind of bulrush (qv). ...
/p/paper.htm - 10k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... aromatic bark. The sweetness refers to the scent, not the taste. See also
BULRUSH; PAPYRUS. EWG Masterman. REED, MEASURING. mezh'-ur ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

Bowing (35 Occurrences)
... the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a
bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt ...
/b/bowing.htm - 19k

Spreading (74 Occurrences)
... the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a
bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt ...
/s/spreading.htm - 28k

Red (124 Occurrences)
... that the ark of Moses was hidden (Exodus 2:3, 5). But as this word does not in itself
mean red, and as that is not the color of the bulrush, authorities are ...
/r/red.htm - 77k

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... that the ark of Moses was hidden (Exodus 2:3, 5). But as this word does not in itself
mean red, and as that is not the color of the bulrush, authorities are ...
/s/sea.htm - 87k

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